BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention:
[0001] This invention relates to a tester for detecting a substance in a body fluid designated
to prevent reducing substances possibly present in a.given specimen under test from
exerting their effect upon a test piece for determining a hydroxyperoxide or hydrogen
peroxide or some other hydroperoxide produced in the previous reaction by utilizing
the peroxidase reaction or a peroxidase-like reaction, a test piece for detecting
peroxidase or a substance acting like peroxidase, or a test piece for effecting measurement
by utilizing the diazo coupling reaction. More particularly this invention relates
to an improved tester for use in the detection of glucose or bilirubin in urine or
blood, the detection of blood in urine, feces or other body fluid, or the detection
of a nitrite of microorganic origin in urine. Description of Prior Art:
Recently, quick diagnostic agents are gaining remarkably in significance. Those quick
diagnostic agents which are based on absorbent carriers are important. Such an agent
is prepared by impregnating an absorbent carrier, which is a slip of paper in most
cases, with a chemical reagent necessary for the reaction utilized for the detection,
and the agent is immersed in a given body fluid. The agent assumes a color reaction
in the presence of the substance being detected. Quick diagnostic agents which have
become extremely important for medical diagonosis are those to be used for the detection
of glucose or bilirubin in urine and blood, for the detection of occult blood in urine,
feces and a body fluid, and for detection of a nitrite of microorganic origin in urine.
[0002] This test is based on the following principles.
(1) Case concerning formation of hydroperoxide or hydrogen peroxide
[0003] This case applies to specimens containing glucose, uric acid, cholesterol, triglyceride
and free fatty acids. The principle in this case will be described with reference
to glucose taken as an example.
[0004] In the detection of glucose in body fluid, the glucose is oxidized by glucose odxidase
(GOD) into gluconic acid. During this reaction, the aerial oxygen is reduced into
hydrogen peroxide. This hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of peroxidase or a substance
acting like peroxidase, causes oxidation and coloration of an oxidation indiator.
The density of the color so generated serves as the criterion for the amount of glucose
present.
(2) Case concerning peroxidase or a substance acting like peroxidase
[0005] This case applies to specimens containing hemoglobin (occult blood) and myoglobin
(renal disorder). The principle in this case will be described with reference to hemoglobin
taken as an exmaple. In the detection of occult blood, by the peroxidase-like activity
of hemoglobin, the peroxide contained in advance in the test piece generates oxygen
to color the oxidation indicator.
(3) Case concerning diazo coupling reaciton
[0006] This case applies to specimens containing nitrite (bacterial urine) and bilirubin
(as due to cholecystitis). The principle in this case resides in the fact that the
reagent is colored by being diazotized with the aforementioned substance present in
the specimen.
[0007] Various agent for rapid diagnosis such as are described above have been known to
the art.
[0008] Various agent based on the principles described in (1) and (2) above are disclosed
in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. SHO 48(1973)-1120, Japanese Patent Publication Nos.
SHO 58(1973)-3679, SHO 56(1981)-43238 and SHO 57(1982)-53539, and Japanese Patent
Laid-Open No. SHO 53(1978)-16692, for example. Various agents based on the principle
described in (3) above are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,415,717, 3,547,780 and
3,718,543, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. SHO 58(1983)-134067, Japanese Patent Publication
Nos. SHO 48(1973)-1792, SHO 49(1974)-27719, SHO 53(1978)-27964, SHO 53(1978)-43431,
SHO 53(1978)-27964, SHO 54(1979)-13508 and SHO 55(1980)-26426.
[0009] Recent processed foodstuffs and refreshing beverages contain ascorbic acid in large
amounts as vitamin C and generous ingestion of vitamin preparations for the preservation
of health is in vogue. Thus, such vitamins are richly contained in blood and excess
water-soluble vitamins are discharged out of the user's system as entrained in urine.
When the aforementioned diagnostic agent is used in the test of urine or blood, therefore,
there is entailed the problem that the strong reducing power exhibited by the ascorbic
acid present in the urine or blood will interfere with the diazo coupling reaction
and impede ample coloration. This disadvantage is suffered by the test piece which
utilizes the diazo coupling reaction, one form of oxidation.
[0010] The adverse effect which the reducing substances such as ascorbic acid present in
specimens exert upon the test results is pointed out in the af-orementioned patent
publications regarding the agents of the principles described in (1) and (2) above.
The adverse effect with respect to the agents of the principle described in (3) above
is not dealt with in any of the aforementioned patent publications. In any event,
means of preventing the reducing substances in the specimen from 'manifesting its
adverse effect upon the test has not yet been discovered.
[0011] An object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a test device designed to prevent
reducing substances possibly present in a given specimen under test from exerting
their effect upon a test paper for determining a hydroperoxide or hydrogen peroxide
or some other hydroperoxide produced in the previous reaction by utilizing the peroxidase
reaction or a peroxidase-like reaction, a test paper for detecting peroxidase or a
substance acting like peroxidase, or a test piece for effecting measurement by utilizing
the diazo coupling reaction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The object of this invention described above is acomplished by a tester for detecting
a substance in a body fluid comprises a test piece containing an indicator intended
for detection of a substance of interest present in a specimen by virtue of peroxidase
reaction, peroxidase-like reaction, or diazo coupling reaction and adapted to assume
color in density corresponding to the concentration of the substance and a transparent
or semi-transparent oxidizer film when the film is contacted with a liquid containing
the substance formed on the surface of said test piece and containing an agent in
an amount of 0.9 to 15 m.mols, per unit area (m
2) of said test piece.
[0013] Since the substance in a specimen to be measured is brought into contact with the
oxidizer film before it comes into contact with the indicator, the substance in a
specimen coming into contact with the indicator is not appreciably affected by the
reducing substances.
[0014] This invention is also directed to a tester wherein the oxidizing agent is an oxygen
acid or a salt thereof selected from the group consisting of M
IXO, M
IXO
3, M
IXO
4, and M
I3H
2XO
6, wherein M
I denotes an atom capable of being converted into a monovalent cation and X denotes
a halogen atom. This invention is further directed to a tester wherein the oxygen
acid or the salt thereof is M
IIO
4, wherein M
I has the same meaning as described above, particularly NaI0
4 or HIO
4.
[0015] This invention further concerns a tester wherein the oxidizing agent is a metal salt
selected from the group consisting of ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid-metals (such
as, for example, EDTA-iron [III]), cuprous chloride, copper sulfate, copper acetate,
mercury acetate and bismuth acetate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016]
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a typical tester as one embodiment of
this invention, and
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a typical tester as another embodiment
of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] The tester according with this invention has an oxidizer film deposited on a test
piece for the purpose of preventing reducing substances possibly present in a given
specimen under test from manifesting their effect upon a test piece for determining
a hydroperoxide or hydrogen peroxide or some other hydroperoxide produced in a previous
reaction by utilizing the peroxidase reaction or a peroxidase-like reaction, a test
piece for detecting peroxidase or a substance acting like peroxidase, or a test piece
for effecting measurement by utilizing the diazo coupling reaction.
[0018] The aforementioned,oxidizer film is transparent or semi-transparent (at least when
the film is wet with the specimen under test) and, therefore, permits any change of
color of the water-absorbing carrier to be seen therethrough. It comprises a membranous
substrate having a reticular structure or containing a multiplicity of pinholes and
an oxidizing agent deposited by impregnation or coating on the membranous substrate.
The membranous substrate may be formed of non-waven fabric or porous membrane of plastic
substance, glass fibers, translucent membrane, or filter paper.
[0019] The amount of the oxidizing agent in the aforementioned oxidizer film is desired
to fall in the range of 0.9 to 15 m.mols per unit area (m
2) of the test piece. If this amount is less than 0.9 m.mol/m
2, the supply of the oxidizing agent is not suffcient for ample oxidization of the
reducing substances in the specimen. If it exceeds 15 m.mols/m
2, the test piece is caused to assume color (indicating positive test) even when the
specimen contains no reducing substances.
[0020] Typical constructions of a tester 1 according to this invention are represented in
lateral elevations in Figs. 1 and 2. With reference to Fig. 1, a test piece 2 is held
fast on a stick 3 by means of an oxidizer film 4. With reference to Fig. 2, a test
paper 2 and an oxidizer film 4 are superposed and are held fast on a stick 3 by means
of a mesh 5 adapted exclusively for fixing the test piece in place. The body fluid
such as urine or blood which is given as a specimen permeates one oxidizer film 4,
wherein the reducing substance in the specimen is oxidized and then delivered to the
test piece. By the specimen, the test piece is caused to assume color without being
affected by the reducing substance in the specimen. As the result, the specimen is
given a normal test.
[0021] The oxidizing agent to be incorporating for the oxidation of the reducing substance
present in the specimen is desired to be an oxygen acid or a salt thereof or a metal
salt. Typical examples of the oxidizing agent will be cited below.
[0022] The oxygen acids and salts thereof which are so usable are represented by the formulas
M
IXO, M
IXO
3, M
IXO
4 and M
I3H
2XO
6, wherein M
I stands for an atom capable of forming a monovalent cation such as, for example, Na,
K and H and X stands for a halogen atom such as, for example, I, Br and Cl. Concrete
examples of such oxygen acids and satls thereof are HClO, NaClO, KClO, HBrO, NaBrO,
KBrO, HIO, NaIO, KIO, HClO
3, NaClO
3, KClO
3, HBrO
3, NaBrO
3, KBr0
3, HIO
3, NaIO
3, KI03, HCIO
4, NaClO
4, RClO
4, HBrO
4, NaBrO
4, KBr0
4, HIO
4, NaIO
4, KI04, Na
3H
2IO
6 and K
3H
2IO
6. Among other examples, those of the formula M
IXO
4 are desirable examples and those of the formula M
IIO
4 are more desirable. The best choices are NaIO
4 and HI0
4. Examples of metallic salts are ethytenediamine tetraacetic acid-metal (such as,
for example EDTA-Fe [III], cuprous chloride, copper sulfate, copper acetate, mercury
acetate and bismuth acetate.
[0023] Specifically, although the amount of the oxidizing agent is affected by the amount
of the oxidation indicator contained in the aforementioned tester and the amount of
the reducing substance present in the specimen, the oxidizing agent is desired to
be contained in the oxidizer film in an amount of 0.9 to 15 m.mols per unit area (m
2) of the test piece. The test piece enjoys greater stability when the oxidizing agent
is incorporated in the film superposed on the test piece than when it is incorporated
directly in the test piece. The oxidation indicator intended to assume color by undergoing
gradual oxidation participates in the reaction which forms an oxidative condensate
as the source for the measurement of the oxygen produced by the peroxidase or by the
peroxidase-like reaction (phenol type and 4-aminoantipyrine), the reaction which forms
acetyl acetone and a condensate by the oxidation of methanol into formaldehyde, the
reaction which forms iodine by the oxidation of an iodide such as potassium iodide,
and the diazotization.
[0024] The oxidative indicator which is oxidized and enabled to color serves to detect the
oxygen produced by the peroxidase or peroxidase-like reaction and, in that capacity,
participates in the reaction producing oxidized condensates (phenol, with 4-aminoantipyrine,
etc.), the reaction causing methanol to be oxidized into formaldehyde and then combined
with acetylacetone to produce a condensate, and the reaction causing an iodide such
as potassium iodide to be oxidized to produce iodine.
[0025] As coloring agents, benzidine type compounds, heterocyclic azines, phenols and guaiacum
resin components are known to the art. Typical examples include o-tolidine, m-tolidine,
bendizine, 3,3',5,5'-tetramethyl benzidine, o-methyl benzidine, 2,7-diaminofluorene,
mixtures containing these compounds in various proportions, various substituted phenylene
diamines such as 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl, o-phenylene diamine, m-phenylene diamine, p-phenylene
diamine, 2,3-tolylene diamine, 2,4-tolylene diamine, 2,5-tolylene diamine and 2,6-tolylene
diamine, pyrogallic acid, gallic acid, phenols such as fluoroglucinol, hydroquinone,
and leucoindo- phenol, guaiacol, pyridine derivatives, substituted azines and leuco-malachite
green. The oxidative indicator is used generally in an amount of 2 to 250 m.mol/liters,
preferably in an amount of 9 to 50 m.mol/liter.
[0026] Typical diazo compounds are p-diazobenzene sulfonic acid, 2,6-dichlorobenzene diazonium
tetrafluoroborate, 2-trifluoromethylbenzene diazonium tetrafluoro- barate, 2,4-dichlorobenzene
diazonium tetrafluoroborate, etc.
[0027] Examples of the hydroperoxide to be used in this invention include 2,5-dimethylhexane-2,5-dihydroperoxide,
cumene hydroperoxide, 2,5-dimethylhexanone-2,5-dihydroperoxide, diisopropylbenzene
hydroperoxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, p-menthane hydroperoxide and 4-methylphenylisopropyl
hydroperoxide. Among other hydroperoxides enumerated above, 2,5-dimethylcyclohexanone-2,5-dihydroperoxide
and cumene hydroperoxide are desirable hydroperoxides having relatively low decomposition
ratios.
[0028] The tester of the present invention is used in the form of a test piece attached
to a plastic stick and the like singly or plurally. The test piece attached to the
stick may optionally incorporate therein a buffer or a lubricant. The buffer serves
to retain the pH value of the fluid in which the test piece is immersed in the range
of 4 to 8, preferably 5 to 7. Examples of the buffer are citric acid-sodium citrate,
tartaric acid-sodium tartrate, malic acid-borax, potassium hydrogen phthalate-dipotassium
phthalate and sodium hydrogen succinate-disodium succinate.
[0029] The wetting agent serves to enable the body fluid in which the test piece is immersed
to uniformly wet the test piece. Examples of the wetting agent are surface active
agents including alkyl sulfonic acid salts such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium dodecyl
sulfate and sodium tetradecyl sulfate, alkylbenzene sulfonates such as sodium dodecylbenzene
sulfonate and dialkylsulfosuccinates such as sodium dioctyl-sulfosuccinate, sodium
diheptylsulfusuccinate and cetyl pyridinium chloride.
[0030] Further, the aforementioned tester may incorporate therein a chemical agent capable
of enhancing the peroxidase activity in hemoglobin. Typical enhancers usable for this
purpose include quinoline and derivatives thereof, such as quinine, cinchonine, o-methoxyquinoline,
quinalidine, 8-amino-6-methoxy quinoline, 2-quinolinol, isoquinoline, benzo(f)quinoline
and 3-amino-quinoline. In the presence of such as enhancer, the oxidation reaction
is generally accelerated and the oxidized chromogen has its color-generating strength
enhanced. Consequently, the test piece acquires increased sensitivity.
[0031] It may incorporate therein an adhesive agent for the purpose of preventing exudation
of the agent from the test piece. Typical adhesive agents are polymers such as polyvinyl
alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, polyacrylates, polyacrylamide,
poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate), carboxymethyl cellulose,
gelatin and gum arabic.
[0032] A testing agent is used in the form a solution. Examples of the solvent to be used
in the preparation of such a solution are benzene, toluene, xylene, methanol, ethanol,
isopropanol, acetone, methylethyl ketone, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and water.
Otherwise, the tester is used in the form of a test piece which is obtained by impregnating
a substrate with the aforementioned solution and drying the wet substrate. The test
piece is manufactured by an ordinary method.
[0033] As the substrate for the test piece, filter paper and other similar forms of paper,
non-woven fabric made of glass fibers or plastic material and water absorbing plastic
sheet are available. The substrate so selected fits the prepartion of the test piece
when it fulfils the requirement that it should neither react upon nor dissolve in
the impregnating solution and should possess an absorbing property. Paper is a preferred
example.
[0034] The testing agent of the present invention is used for the various medical diagonosis.
[0035] The tester is useful (A) for the detection of a hydroperoxide or hydrogen peroxide
or other hydroperoxide produced in a preceding reaction through the agency of a peroxidase
or a peroxidase-like reaction, (B) for the detection of a peroxidase or a peroxidase-acting
substance, and (C) for the detection using diazo coupling reaction. The substances
which can be thus detected by the tester of this invention include glucose, uric acid,
hemoglobin, myoglobin, nitrites, bilirubin in urine, and glucose, urinc acid, cholesterol,
triglyceride, free fatty acid, hemoglobin, bilirubin, etc, in blood for example.
[0036] The tester of the present invention can be used in any desired shape such as a stick
or a test piece. Now, the operation of the test of this invention will be described
below with reference to an embodiment wherein the tester is constructed in the shape
of a stick as illustrated in Fig. 1 and the specimen contains ascorbic acid as a reducing
substance.
[0037] The tester of the present invention has the oxidizer film for elimination of the
adverse effect of reducing substance present in the specimen deposited on a test piece
which has to do with hydroperoxide or with a reaction giving rise to hydroperoxide,
a test piece which is intended for determination of peroxidase or a substance action
like peroxidase, or a test piece which is used for determination by virtue of the
diazo coupling reaction.
[0038] Owing to the construction, therefore, the specimen such as urine or blood first permeates
the aforementioned oxidizer film. The reducing substance (such as ascorbic acid) present
in the specimen is oxidized by the aforementioned oxidizing agent and then brought
into contact with the test piece. Thus,the test piece is colored by this contact.
Thus,even when the specimen happens to contain any reducing substance, the reducing
substance is not suffered to exert any adverse effect upon the results of determination.
[0039] The reducing substance (such as ascorbic acid) present in the specimen and the oxidizing
agent in the oxidizer film have their effect to bear upon the test results through
the following actions.
(1) Reaction relating to hydroperoxide or participating in the formation of hydroperoxide
(1-1) In the presence of ascorbic acid, the nascent [0] produced from H202 by the peroxidase is spent for the oxidation of ascorbic acid and, as the result,
the subsequent color reaction is impeded.
(1-2) When the aforementioned oxidizing agent is contained in advance in the test
piece, the oxidizing agent and the ascorbic acid undergo an oxidation-reduction reaction
before the occurrence of the nascent [0] and, therefore, the ascorbic acid is prevented
from interfering with the reaction.
(2) Peroxidase or substance acting like peroxidase Same as (1-1) and (1-2).
(3) Diazo coupling reaction
[0040] The diazo coupling reaction is an oxidative reaction. Thus, the reaction is obstructed
by the presence of ascorbic acid. When the oxidizing agent is present, this obstruction
of the reaction cannot occur because the oxidation-reduction reaction between the
oxidizing agent and the ascorbic acid preceeds faster.
[0041] Now, the present invention will be described more specifically below with reference
to working examples.
[0042] Before the relevant experiments, the tester constructed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2
were prepared. First, a dope for the oxidizer film was prepared by dissolving
Na
Ie4 as an oxidizing agent in a concentration of 1 mg/ml in an aqueous 2.5% methyl cellulose
solution. A nylon net was immersed in the solution and dried to form an oxidizer film.
For the convenience of reference, this oxidizer film will be referred to hereinafter
as "ascorbic acid removing film." This film was deposited each on a stick in a manner
embracing a test piece therein as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. This ascorbic acid
removing film was found to contain the oxidizing agent in a concentration of 2 m.mols
per m
2 of the area of the test piece.
Example 1
Test for glucose
[0043] The ascorbic acid removing film obtained as described above was superposed on test
papers for glucose to produce tester constructed as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.
These testers were immersed in urine containing no glucose and urine containing glucose
in a concentration of 150 mg/dl. Both urine contained ascorbic acid in a concetration
of 50 mg/dl. Tester lacking an ascorbic acid removing film was similarly used in the
experiment. The resuls were as shown in Table 1.

Example 2
Test for occult blood
[0044] The ascorbic acid removing film obtained as described above was superposed on test
pieces for occult blood to produce tester constructed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These
testers were immersed in urine containing no hemoglobin and urine containing hemoglobin
in a concentration of 15 mg/dl. Both urines contained ascorbic acid in a concentration
of 50 mg/dl. Tester lacking an ascorbic acid removing film was similarly used in the
experiment. The results were as shown in Table 2.

Example 3
Test for bilirubin
[0045] The ascorbic acid removing film obtained as described above was superposed on test
pieces for bilirubin to produce tester constructed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These
testers were immersed in urine containing no bilirubin and urine containing bilirubin
in a concentration of 0.5 mg/dl. Both urines contained ascorbic acid in a concentration
of 50 mg/dl. Tester lacking an ascorbic acid removing film was similarly used in the
experiment. The results were as shown in Table 3.

Example 4
Test for nitrite
[0046] The ascorbic acid removing film obtained as described above was superposed on test
pieces for nitrite to produce tester constructed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These
testers were immersed in urine containing no nitrite and urine containing nitrite
(ion) in a concentration of 0.1 mg/dl. Both urines contained ascorbic acid in a concetration
of 50 mg/dl. Tester lacking an ascorbic acid removing film was similarly used in the
experiment. Theresults were as shown in Table 4.

Example 5
[0047] A solution for an oxidizer film was prepared by dissolving NaIO
4as an oxidizing agent in a concentration of 4.5 mg/ml in an aqueous 2.5% methyl cellulose
solution. A net was immersed in the solution and dried to produce an oxidizer film.
The oxidizer film was superposed on test piece for glncose as illustrated in Figs.
1 and 2. The oxidizer film was found to contain the oxidizing agent in a concentration
of 21 m.mols per m
2 of the area of the test piece.
[0048] The tester obtained as described above were immersed in urine containing no glucose
and urine containing glucose in a concentration of 150 mg/dl. Both urines contained
ascorbic acid in a concentration of 50 mg/dl. The results were as shown in Table 5.
[0049] It is noted from Table 5 that an excess of the oxidizing agent gives an undesirable
result.

[0050] The test pieces used in Examples 1-5 were prepared as described below. In the preparation
of each test piece, a paper substrate was first impregnated with Solution A and dried.
It was then subjected to the same procedure with respect to Solution B and solution
C each in the order mentioned.
(a) Test piece for glucose
[0051]

(b) Test piece for nitrite
[0052]

(c) Test piece for bilirubin
[0053]

(d) Test piece for occult blood
[0054]

[0055] As described above, in the tester-of the present invention having an oxidizer film
deposited on a test piece for determining a hydroperoxide or hydrogen peroxide or
some other hydroperoxide produced in a previous reaction by utilizing the peroxidase
reaction or a peroxidase-like reaction, a test piece for detecting peroxidase or a
substance acting like peroxidase, or a test piece for effecting determination by utilizing
the diazo coupling reaction, the testing agent comprises an oxidation indicator selected
from the group consisting of the aforementioned hydroperoxide, substance acting like
peroxidase, and diazotizable substance and, therefore, allowed to develop color in
consequence of the oxidation in the reaction of the substance so selected and an effective
amount of a specific oxidizing agent. When the specimen such as urine or blood given
to be tested happens to contain a reducing substance such as ascorbic acid or gentisic
acid, the peroxidase reaction, the peroxidase-like reaction or the diazo coupling
reaction is not obstructed by the reducing substance because the reducing substance
is oxidized by the aforementioned oxidizing agent. Even when the aforementioned oxidizing
agent is contained in advance in the oxidizer film, there is no possibility of the
peroxidase reaction, peroxidase-like reaction, or diazo coupling reaction being induced
by the oxidizing agent. Particularly when the oxidizing agent is an oxygen acid or
a salt thereof or a metal salt, the aforementioned effect of the test device becomes
conspicuous. The effect is highest when the oxidizing agent is periodic acid or a
salt thereof. The effect of the invention is especially excellent when the tester
uses an oxidizer film containing this oxidizing agent in a concentration of 0.9 to
15 m.mols per m
2 of the area of test piece. Since the aforementioned oxidizing agent is contained
in the oxidizer film and, therefore, is separated from the test piece, the tester
enjoys greatere stability to resist the effect of aging.
1. A tester for detecting a substance in a body fluid comprises a test piece containing
an indicator intended for detection of a substance of interest present in a specimen
by virtue of peroxidase reaction, peroxidase-like reaction, or diazo coupling reaction
and adapted to assume color in density correspoinding to the concentration of the
substance and a transparent or semi-transparent oxidizer film when the film is contacted
with a liquid containing the substance formed on the surface of said test piece and
containing an oxidizing agent in an amount of 0.9 to 15 m.mols, per unit area (m2) of said test piece.
2. A tester according to Claim 1, wherein said oxidizing agent is an oxygen acid or
a salt thereof selected from the group consisting of MIXO, MIXO3, MIXO4 and MI3H2XO6 wherein MI denotes an atom capable of being converted into a monovalent cation and X denotes
a halogen atom.
3. A tester according to Claim 2, wherein said MIXO is MIIO4, wherein MI has the same meaning as described above.
4. A tester according to Claim 3, wherein said MII04 is NaIO4 or HIO4.
5. A tester according to Claim 1, wherein said oxidizing agent is metal salt selected
from the group consisting of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid-metals, cuprous chloride,
copper sulfate, copper acetate, mercury acetate and bismuth acetate.
6. A tester according to Claim 1, wherein said oxidizer film comprises said oxidizing
agent supported on a substrate.
7. A tester according to Claim 6, wherein said substrate is selected from the group
consisting of paper, non-woven fabric of glass fibers or plastic material and water-absorbing
plastic sheet.
8. A tester according to Claim 1, wherein said test piece comprises said indicator
supported on a substrate.
9. A tester according to Claim 8, wherein said substrate is selected from the group
consisting of paper, non-woven fabric of glass fiber or plastic material and water
absorbing plastic sheet.
10. A tester according to Claim 1, wherein said tester is intended for glucose test.
11. A tester according to Claim 1, wherein said tester is intended for occult blood
test.
12. A tester according to Claim 1, wherein said tester is intended for bilirubin test.
13. A tester according to Claim 1, wherein said tester is intended for nitrite test.
14. A tester according to Claim 1, wherein surface of said oxidizer film is further
covered with a mesh for fixing and fixed to a stick.